You can talk of Alexander As the leader of our clan, You can talk of Labor Parties And their forty-hour plan ; But I'll tell you of another, And I hope I don't intrude, It's the farmer in the country, Who provides the people's food. You will find that near all babies, If they're dressed in rags or silk, Are brought up, or elevated, On some country district milk ; Older people need some also For their porridge in the morn, &amp;nbsp; For the taste has been acquired From the time that they were born. Then we all know of the baker, Who brings round the daily bread, Though if 'twas not for th farmer We'd be very seldom fed ; For on him depends the harvest That returns the golden wheat, So though farmer, mill and baker, We get bread enough to eat. Where, then, would you get your porridge If he didn't grow some oats, And the waving fields of barley That are turned to fancey groats, &amp;nbsp; Then the Labor and all parties &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; Would be feeling very queer,...

THE Eltham and Whittlesea Shire Advertiser AND Diamond Creek Valley Advocate Published Every Friday Morning &amp;nbsp; FRIDAY, MAY 4. 1917. TO-MORROW (Saturday) the elec- tors of the Commonwealth will be called upon to decide the most momentous question ever placed before them, to say by whom they will be governed in the immediate future — by the National Party or the so-called Labor Party. During the last few weeks the daily and other papers have given great prominence to the question, and both parties have been given every latitude to promulgate their views, but unfortunately so much &amp;nbsp; bitterness has been infused into the contest, and, worse still, so much falsehood resorted to, that many people are puzzled to know which side they should support. But we are sure, if the matter is calmly and dispassionately con- sidered, the vote of every fair- minded, loyal elector will be cast in favor of the National Party, and our contention will be amply proven by a close exam...

ANZAC DAY AT PANTON HILL. (CONTRIBUTED.) This was very fittingly celebrated by an audience which almost filled the local Public Hall, which had been kindly lent by the Hall Committee for this sad but momentous occasion. The stage was draped in mourning, which was intertwined with the Union Jack and surmounted by a beautiful wreath made in memory of our fallen Anzacs. The drapings and wreath were kindly supplied by Misses Rattray and Riley, of "Wharepuke," Panton Hill. &amp;nbsp; The chair was occupied by Mr R. O. Harris, J P., Chairman and Corres- pondent of the local School Com- mittee. The proceedings started with the singing of "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," and then the Chairman delivered a feeling and striking address on the occasion. It was indeed a trying task for the Chairman to address such a meeting, as he had given his sons to the Empire, but his friends are "legion," and Patton Hill audiences &amp;nbsp; look to Mr Harris to take the lead on all occasions. Anothe...

NOUTHING SERIOUS. Mr. 8- had a peculiarly irritating sneeze. It began with a complex and terrifying series of facial convulsions, but instead of concluding with the roar of a shot lion, it ended with a most lame paroxysm that always dis appointed the expectant observer. "Your sneeze," said a friend, after watching him through one of his sternuations. "is a regular circus." "A circus?" said Mr. S-. "Yes, sir," was the rejoinder. "The performance never comes up to the advance notices." That Mr. Lloyd George's readiness of wit is remarkable we all know. It is said that during one of his public speeches he asked the question : "What do our opponents really want ?" "I know what I want," chimed in a member of the audience in a husky voice that told its own tale. "I want a change of Government." "No, you don't," answered Mr. Lloyd George, in a flash ; "what you want is a change of drinks." Dean Hole, who was the pioneer of rose shows, was fond of telling this story : At Cambridge a horticu...

ELTHAM. (:ROM OUR CORRSPONDENT.) Election day passed over very quietly d tlhe weather being very propitious the polling was fairly stiong, 297 votes being. recorded. Of these slo were from the certified roll and 87 absentee votes, some from far off electorates in ,SoUt Australia, New. South Wales, Weiitrn Australia and Tasmania, and .?-t :-of the rest from adjoining elec toratei of Flinders and Corio. One striking feature was the preponderance 'of feitale voters, 164 as against 133 oalea; 23 per cent. in favour of the ladiea. Another peculiar feature was hetb.'ldiluted ignorance of the issues .it stake; what the nameson the ballot .pelsa indicated, and also of the euthod of recording their votes, shown 'by several voters. Some few were srp'?sed that they could not vote, hearr names not being on the roll, for iting, or really not knowing, that ch elector has to see to his or her on enrolment in Federal matters and .aot!te much abused police. Failure to ~:;nrol entails a penalty on th...

AGRICULTUIRAL COLLEGES. REPORTS F)It APRIL, 1917. At a meetine of the Council of Agri cultural iEducation held ol the 2ud May, a, stateomenit was sunlitted showing that tlie total endowmnent reolltls, which in 1915 alioultedi to £9.350, had ill 1917 on the sancs area of landi increansed to £11.634 The Council's overdraftt in 1915twne £8.000. and thin; had noiw been reduced to £1970. During this period o capital expenditure iof £1,50n hld heell irncurred on hniilings, and thie Government t Grant of £1,341 had,beel withdrawn. The number of students at Dooklio in 1916 was 30, and, inclusive of 8 returnced soldiers, it enoa new 70. Thie Longerenog College hlas for several years maintained at full complement of students. A suggestion by the E. II.'eLancelles Memorial Conmmittee, that the name of the Longerencoe College hould be changed toii to the Lascelles College, ando that ini addi. tion to its pre'ent ptlrptse it shouold he Usoi as a ceitre flor testing tile suitability of returned s...

ELTHAM SHIRE COUNCIL. ORDINARY MIONTIILY MEETING. MoNoAr, 7T'u MAY, 1917. The ordinary monthly meeting of the above. Council was hold at the Council Ohamber; Kangaroo Oroend Hotel, on Monday last. Present: The President (Or Taylor), and Ors Bath, GrIy, Hubbard, M-ntni Mdrray, Morris, Smledley, and White. The minutes of the previous meetinl were read and confirmed and outward correspondence tpprdved of. DRPUTATIONB. Two petitions were read from reei. dents of KinClake, one bearing ten signatures arid the other 26. Bath petitions were worded as followse: We, the undersigned ratepayore and residents of Kinglhke, hereby respect. fully beg your Council to tank into inlmmediate consideration the matter of repairing the road from thle mill land ing at tile foot of Miller's Hill to Foster's cutting, so that we will lBe able to cart our produce on which we are all so dependent during the winter months. We bhve approached the Hursthridge Sawmill Co., and asked them to lay a tram line to take ...

(Copyright.) CONVICT DAYS. I VIVID AND REALISTIC PICTURES OF THE PAST. I THE EMPTY TREASURY. PART 7. Bramwell at once began his narra tive, telling of his and Gorman's em ployment in the Treasury, and the temptation which had come to them. He glossed over the tragedy at the shanty, making out that Youl had at tacked them and tried to capture them for the reward, after conspiring to rob the Treasury. As to the death of Carey the convict was silent, though he told Gibson about Gorman having sought refuge with the hut keeper. The settler listened without com ment or interruption, and when the fugitive finished Gibson remained pon dering for;eeveral minutes. "I think,' he at length said, "it would not be possible to get away from the Island. If I thought it could be done I would help you.. If you remain in the bush you will be hunted like wild beasts, and in the end be either captured, killed or die of hunger." "What can be done, then?." asked lramwell. "Colonel Davey seems to think mor...

Austr?.i Expeditionary Forces. ecruits Wanted. I Y fMAN PHYSICALLY FIT IS WANIID. Ci IS OF ENLISTMENT'2 `::. Age, 18 to 45 years. Minimum height, 5 feet 2 inches. Chbest mensurement, 33 inches. Persons desiring to enlist shonld apply at the nearest Town Hall, Shire Hall, Drill Hall, or Recruitinu Depot, where arrangements will be made for medical examination. Persons who are cousidrlered suitable will be.granted free. Railway tickets to the Metropolis for final medical examination and enlistment. RATES OF PAY PiR DAY. Prior to On.aood from date of embarkation embarkation. (including deferred pay). Lieutenant . ... 21s Sergeont.... » 10s . .. 0Its d Corporal ..... » 9s ..- ...- . 10ts Private ..... s ... ... ...... SEPARATION ALLOWANCE. Separation allowance will be paid to marriedl men who are receivine lepsthan 8a per day. hut such allowance will not exceed the amount necessary to make up the difference between their daily rate of pay and So per day Subject to this limitation the Im...

VISIT OF THE RAILWAYS STANDING COMMITTEE TO HURSTBRIDGE. ------set--- On Tuesday evening last, at Dorset House, a most representative gathering of local and district representatives met together, at the request of the Railways Standing Committee, to submit evidonceu and offer suggestions for the improvement of the finances in the Hurstbridgo-Elthnnl section of railway. At the outset it was evident thibt. very keen interest was aroused by the visit of this Parliamentary Committee, and some delegates attended from a radius of from 12 to 15 miles. The meeting was hold in the dining hall at Dorset House, which was uncomfort ably crowded, so much so that manny were unable to gain admittance. At the table were seated: Mr. Barnes, M.L.A. (Chair man), Hon. Donald Melville, M.L.C., Mr. Solly, M.L.A, Mr. Billson, M.L.A., Mr. Hicks, M.L.C., Mr. Toutcher, M.L.A., and the Secretary, Mr. Gilchrist. Mr. Barnes, in opening the proceedings, said that it was to be a purely informal meeting and no swo...

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ARTHUR'S OREEK AND 8TrRA'TrIH WEN RED CROSS SOOIETY. On the 7th April n fair was held in the Arthur's Crook Hall in aid of tihe above brnoch of- the rud Cross treiney. The weather was not atll favorable. it having rained all theo previous luy nad'itill cn* tioned showery on Saturday morning. Notwithstanding this fact the workers assembled about 9.30 and worked steadily and mlehodically until I p m., when every thing was in order and prreented a pleasing sight. The stalls were --Prodeue. Fancy, Flower, Swueet, Ice Cream, Fruit Salad, Soft Driuks anIl Tea. The side-shown :- Hlop-li, Spnniaug Jenny., Suhoting Gallery, Aunt ally and Pst Office. Mliss Wilanl, of fireotbridge, kindly lent tle fl gs for decoratinr. Thu time of openiing wna arrangetl for 2 p.m.. but owing to the uncerltin weather the penole hlud not arrivedi by that time, rr it Wars pnstpoedo l for an hour. Mr Ituurret, MI i. A., who was intrrtluced by air ino. lirnin, openel the Fair, andl in Ilis fine patriotic speech com...